Pininfarina Teorema concept focuses on shared mobility experience

The Italian design and engineering specialist Pininfarina has unveiled the Teorema, a virtual concept model that showcases its interpretation of electric and autonomous future mobility, with a focus on the user experience and augmented reality technology. 

The Teorema, a five-seat vehicle with a Kamm tail to improve aerodynamics and sports-car lines, was developed using virtual reality technology by design teams at Pininfarina’s headquarters in Cambiano, near Turin, and Shanghai. Designers sought to create a sense of community and foster interactions between passengers and the outdoor environment, the company said.   

"Teorema wants to give people back the pleasure of driving and traveling, without the frustrations of increased congestion and other compromises, all while integrating interfacial intelligence, 5G connectivity and the latest technology to drive passengers toward new incredible experiences along the journey," Pininfarina Chief Creative Officer Kevin Rice said. 

As the expression of Pininfarina's vision for a shared, hyper-connected mobility of the future, the Teorema was designed from the inside out. Designers started with an electric "skateboard" chassis, developed by German supplier Benteler, that allows the car to have a large, uninterrupted interior space.  

They then created the interior experience before turning to the exterior, Pininfarina said. 

At 5,400 mm long and 1,400 mm tall, the Teorema is similar in size to a BMW 5 Series station wagon. It was conceived to allow passengers to share experiences along the journey but also to provide moments of privacy if desired.  

The passengers are positioned in a pentagon, with a single seat ahead of two rows of two seats that creates a narrow cabin at the front that widens further back. A central modular area, similar to a home environment, enables passengers to participate in various activities, for example, retiring to a private space to work or sleep.  

The Teorema was designed for so-called Level 4 autonomous driving, but can easily switch across different driving modes according to passengers' preferences and different driving situations, including a rest mode in which the interior becomes a social space where people can move about freely.  

Swiss company WayRay provided its True Augmented Reality system, with virtual images that informs passengers about relevant traffic information or places of interest. Augmented reality animations appear behind the car’s windshield and side windows. 

Pininfarina is owned by the Indian conglomerate Mahindra & Mahindra. Automobili Pininfarina, another company owned by Mahindra, is based in Munich and is developing a lineup of high-performance electric vehicles. The first one, the Battista, is set to enter production this summer at Pininfarina's factory in Cambiano.